Random Friday.... once again..

Okay so it’s once again Friday. Time for a little more randomness. Let’s see….

Summer reading: Totally enjoy it!! For the kids and myself. All the kids were required to do was read any 10 books and write the names down and send in a paper/entry form to the “UTAH STATE FAIR” and in return they’ll get a free ticket to get into the fair, and they’ll get a free ride at the carnival, and then they can have a free drink too. So being the cheapskates we are, we’re ALL over that. And through the library the kids have to set a goal of how much time a day they want to spend reading, and upon completion of that goal they turn in the reading log and get a free pass to get into the water park that the library hosts an end of the summer reading party at. There are so many perks to getting the kids to read during the summer, I only wish these same perks existed during the rest of the year.

BBQ’s: Well, we aren't that huge into it. But we do our share during the warm months. And later today will be one of those times. We have done a few with extended family and have had them over, and they are so fun. But I do enjoy having low key BBQ’s too!! I still make the food I want, but it’s just our little family and our neighbor. And call me weird or something if you must, but I like to cook up all the burgers at one time even if they don’t get eaten right away. Because they always taste good as leftovers, later in the day or even a day or two later.

Pioneer Day: Must be a bigger celebration living here in Utah then anywhere else in the country. It’s an important event here in Utah. Kind of the beginning of Utah becoming Utah. I have recently found out that I have some Mormon Pioneer Heritage, and am so thrilled to learn of it. The dedication and sacrifices that these early settlers showed and made is such a strong testimony of the faith that they had, and their love for God. They left behind a great legacy, now if I could just do the same. Better get working on that.

Vision: YIKES!! This is a scary subject. I finally decided it’s time to get the old eyeballs checked again, it’s been like five years, and things are getting really blurry now. What event took place that made me so more aware of it?? Well the other night we were over at my friend’s house and they had a projector and pull down screen, and we were all playing Rock Band on the Wii, and I was taking the part of the singer which I was very hesitant about to begin with. The words scroll across the top of the screen WHICH WAS HUGE!!! And I was having major issues trying to read them as they scrolled across the top. I felt so retarded, like I almost didn’t know how to read; only I can. It was kind of scary. So now come Saturday, we’ll get some intervention again. The darn signs of aging are already starting to appear. Not that I’m old, but if I don’t get it under control soon, it could get really BAD, if you know what I mean?

Wen-ology

So here's some food for thought... or not really.


***********FOODOLOGY***************

What is your salad dressing of choice?
Ranch but as natural as possible. No MSG!!


What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
Uh, what is that?? We don't go to sit down places really.

What food could you eat for two weeks and not get sick of it?
Chicken Salad Sandwiches the stuff with the grapes.

What are your pizza toppings of choice?
Ham and Pineapple

What do you like to put on your toast?
Ummmm???? Don't really eat toast.

***********TECHNOLOGY***************

How many televisions are in your house?
2

What color is your cell phone?
Silver

Do you have an iPod?
I don't really have one, but I have access to Chris's ipod.

***************BIOLOGY******************

Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Right!

Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
Do babies count?? Two c-sections and tonsils were taken out.

What is the last heavy item you lifted?
My kids.

Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
With the help of anesthesia for surgery.

************BULLOLOGY**************

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
Are you nuts!! No way!!

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
Right, my husband and I can't even pick out our children's name without too many problems, forget trying to rename me.

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
No. I'm a wuss.

**************FAVORITOLOGY****************

Season?
Spring or Fall

Holiday?
Christmas

Day of the week?
Saturday

Month?
April or October

***********CURRENTOLOGY*****************

Missing someone?
My grandpa

Mood?
Tired, but happy.

What are you listening to?
The swamp cooler running, and a door being slammed open. Mostly silence though.

Current worry?
All the dejunking I need to do.

***************RANDOMOLOGY*****************

First place you went this morning?
Probably the bathroom.. doesn't everyone?

What's the last movie you saw?
Sense and Sensibility

***************OTHER-OLOGY*****************

How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
Hate flip flops!! I do have sandals that allow my toes room to be free. As a friend put it " without the floss by the big toe".

Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
July 3, 2008 -- got a speeding ticket in Orem.

Last person you talked to?
My husband.

Last person you hugged?
Same guy.

Do you always answer your phone?
Nope. Sometimes its best to just let it ring! -- DITTO!!!!

It's four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
No one better be texting me in the morning that early. Besides I don't really text or recieve them.

If you could change your eye color what would it be?
I like them just how they are.

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?
Believe it or not, I've never been to Sonic.

Do you own a digital camera?
I've had a point and shoot for two years, and would really like to get a dslr camera.

Have you ever had a pet fish
Yes!! We had four at one time. Three goldfish that we named Peanut, Butter and Jelly and then a beta that we named Samson.

Favorite Christmas song(s)
Angels we have heard on High. But I do LIKE A LOT OF THE CHRISTMAS SONGS.

What's on your wish list for your birthday?
Money?

Can you do push ups?
um can you??

Can you do the Splits?
When I was in High school and college I was able to do the splits, but I'm not so limber any more.

Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
Excited!

Do you have any saved texts?
No

Have you ever been in a car accident?
Yes. Just minor ones though. Little fender benders, or booty bumps as we call them

Do you have an accent?
No.

What is the last movie to make you cry?
Can't remember.

Plans tonight?
I did have plans earlier.. met up with two old roommates and their families and hung out all day.

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
Occasionally I feel that way.

Name 3 things you bought yesterday?
Chocolate Chips, Brownie mix, and Milk.

Have you ever been given roses?
Yup and now I even have the rose that keeps on giving. Called 8 rose bushes that are planted through out my yard.

Met someone who changed your life?
I think everyone we meet helps change us, but my husband has to be the most important one to change my life.

How will you bring in the New Year?
Watching fire works from my living room window. Unless I fall asleep before hand. Or maybe we'll be over at my SIL's house playing games or watching movies. "newly Wed Game anyone"

What song represents you?
Girls Just wanna have fun.....

Name two people who might complete this?
Thing 1 and thing 2

Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?
Are you kidding. Life is way too much more fun now, then it ever was then.

Have you ever dated someone longer than a year?
Yep... we've been dating for 11 years now. Okay so we're also married too!! But that's a great thing.

Do you have any tattoos/piercings?
Ears are pierced. And I have a gigantic sunflower tatoo on my butt..... NOT!!!! Are you kidding me.

Does anyone love you?
I hope so.... sometimes I wonder???

Would you be a pirate?
YUCK!!

What songs do you sing in the shower?
I like the quiet time.

Ever had someone sing to you?
My husband always does.

When did you last cry?
Gosh, I don't remember.

Do you like to cuddle?
Depends... if it's hot, HECK NO!! In the winter.. I'm more likely.

Have you held hands with anyone today?
The one and only husband of mine.

Who was the last person you took a picture of?
My kids playing on the water slides last Saturday at their Aunt and Uncle's house.

Are most of the friends in your life new or old?
Is that referring to age or how long you've known them. Is Medium an option?

Do you like pulpy orange juice?
Bring it on!! If it's too pulpy I strain it. No big deal though.

Random Friday....

Okay so it's Friday once again, time for another Random Friday.



Otter Pops :


Are okay. Not Great, but okay. Why? Because one isn't enough. Am I the only one that finds this a problem? My kids will ask for one and then within in five minutes or less they are asking for a second, third and so on.... I swear they are like the equivalent of a few sips of juice or water or ___________ you fill in the blank.
Although one of my neighbors has something similar to them, but they are Otter pops on steroids. They are like 8 otter pops in one big gigantic thingy-majingy. He shares those with my kids and after one of those the kids are satisfied till the next time. (usually a day or two later). I think further questions are warranted. Time to investigate.



New Experiment:

Blueberry Banana Pancakes!! They ROCK!!! and might roll if you tried. But we experimented Thursday night for dinner and had breakfast (which isn't all that unusual for us) but we made the pancakes with chopped blueberries and mashed bananas mixed together into the batter. They smelled so divine, and my tongue is salivating now just thinking about the sweet goodness of those pancakes, which by the way were cooked to perfection. Because in my house, my kids think I burn everything. So what if it's slightly darker than it should be.... okay, you're right I burned those before, but NOT TONIGHT!! They were golden brown, just like they would be at a restaurant. Yippee for me.



Feeding Ducks:

We've been doing a lot of this recently and I'm finding it a very relaxing activity. And with my new discovery... I've inquired at a local bread thrift store and they sell DUCK BREAD!! Yes, I asked the last time I went to get the "CHEAP" loaves and they were up to .99 cents a loaf... yikes -- just for feeding the ducks, that seemed kind of pricey to me. So I asked the cashier if they had any bread in back that they can't sell anymore, that I could get for feeding ducks. She said, how much do you want? What?? You mean you have something?

They sell it by the grocery sack full. I got six loafs of bread for $1.03 just for feeding ducks. Now talk about a cheap activity. That's great. We still have two of those six loafs left, and we bought them last Saturday. But I'm sure later today we'll use them up. So check with your local bread stores and ask if they have expired bread that you can buy for feeding ducks, if the need arises.
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I'm enjoying the digi scrapping so much.... and I'm reading when I'm not doing that. And that's only if I'm not settling little arguments, washing dishes, folding laundry or anything like it. Just kidding.... I don't really do any of the above, I'm trying to make my little people do it for me. And to a point it's working.

Welcome to the MOMMY STORE.

Holy cow, I've got expensive maids !!! But alas, I have some maids to clean my house. I think I might pay way too much!! I paid out like $12.00 to have my 10 year old scrub the kitchen floor. Crazy thing is she usually complains about this type of thing, but not this time. She actually told me afterwards, that it was FUN!! What work can be Fun?? She must be crazy. Right?

Well, I also paid my nearly 7 year old $3.00 for putting away the dishes through out the day that got stacked in the drain rack. And I paid $5.00 to my 9 year old for cleaning the toilet inside and out. They've been really eager lately to do chores. Hmmm. Wonder why??



BUT

I'm not paying them real money. I came up with "MOMMY MONEY".
I figured that at school they have a school store and get " school" money to use at the school store for doing good things, such as helping out in class, doing homework and turning it in, being kind, following the dress code. And my kids are motivated to be and do good while at school. So..... that got me thinking that I need help around the house, and I need to make it worth their effort. So I assign a task and say that they can earn xxx amount of mommy money for doing it quickly and all the way. But on the other hand, when I hear arguing, or someone being mean, they owe me money. So once a week I hold a store, and have picked up various items (whatever I can acquire without costing me a lot of money) and then put a price on it.

This last week, I decided to get a box of skittles that have the two colors/flavors inside one skittle, and put the price of $60.00 on it. No one had enough last week, but we've had busy busy workers going around, doing jobs to earn the money.

Why on earth did I not think of this earlier?

So I've come up with chores that need to be done, and just try and assign those chores throughout the week, so that everything gets done, and I'm not the ONLY one cleaning up anymore. Just like MAGIC!!!

So here's pictures from the first store we did,






Actually in the above picture, I had collected things that I had asked and waited about 10 minutes before I acted, and placed in a bag and told them they could have a chance to buy them back at the store. They haven't left anything out really since then, that hasn't been put away after being asked. Seriously this is AWESOME!!!

And the absolute number one rule I use.... they don't get money for it if they whine at all. They want their money so they do a good job with not whining.

But don't think for a minute that these little people are perfect... because they aren't. But now I can just take away the money when they misbehave. I love it. I kind of owe the idea to my sister in law too. I was already thinking about doing something like this for the last few years, but just didn't know how I should go about it, and got some good ideas from her.

So we both, do the store once a week. Why? To keep the kids motivated to be good and do their chores and other various things.

And whoever has the most money gets to "shop" first. Why? Well, they worked the hardest or have been saving up for a little while and it just seems fair. And then they can have first pick of what they want.

And we try to have new stuff each week that wasn't there the first week, and keep the prizes interesting. Although with school quickly approaching, keeping pencils on hand seems to be a great idea.

July 4th, 2009

I actually started to work on this last Monday, but after I had the first two pages put together and NOT SAVED! Of course, the power flickers off. AGH !!! So after being a little frustrated because of that I decided to wait a few days to scrapbook our holiday. So today I decided to work on it again, but this time I saved as I went along. A lesson you'd assume that I'd have learned a long time ago. Guess it wasn't learned completely. But I finished not 1 or 2 pages but 6!!! I'm so loving this. So here are glimpses of our weekend.














Credits for the papers that were used:
First four pages: Papers created by redju
Last two pages: Papers created by Maruine Stettler
On the first two pages: The tape and glitter element are created by JenLin Designs